Hello folks: In my last report I mentioned that I couldn't believe how the week with the medical team had whizzed by.....now I am really scratching my head when I look and see that it has been three weeks since I last touched base with all of you. In the meantime we have had another team, I have spent a week in Canada, our Board met in Haiti and a photo team took pictures of all of the school kids. I think in order to catch up, I will "say it with photos" as I am sure you will find them more interesting than a long written diatribe.

Coming from Texas, Minnesota and Virginia the team led by Greer Putnam from St John's Lutheran Church in Alexandria worked as if they had known each other for years. Here they are getting supplies ready to repair a depot wall that was damaged during the earthquake.

Board members that were able to come to Haiti for the meetings, standing outside the Administration window at the school in Ganthier.
Fr Row: Pastor Ron (blue shirt) and Pastor Andy

Back Row (Lto R) : Tom (photo team member) , Dr Randy, Pastor Cheryl, Mme Marni, Darrell and special guest Rick.

Pastor's Andy and Ron, sharing a moment with Mr Robert Acra long time supporter and friend of Village of Hope. He is also President of the Haiti based board for the school. He worked closely with the School founders Carole and Jim Herget in the early days of the Project.

A thrilling moment as the dream starts to become a reality.....Engineer Delva signing the constrution contract for the Health Center with Pastor Ron while Pastor Andy and Engineer Moise look on. We expect to be digging up the ground within 2 weeks or so.

Lively discussion and debate took place as the Board members deliberated over the various agenda items. The Village of Hope is Blessed to have a group with such heart for the work they have volunteered to do. All enjoyed meeting outdoors....that is until dusk rolled around and the mosquitoes came out looking for dinner.......and what a smorgasboard they had!

What a photo team!....all of the kids at school that day (600+) had their photo taken before 2:00. They went home feeling a great sense of accomplishment....and a well deserved one too.

Visitors are always greeted by a very enthusiasitc group of student's and it was no different for Board members Pastor Cheryl and Pastor Andy.

Now Bert, Roberta and I enjoy several "quiet" days to catch up on various and sundry chores. Today and tomorrow many businesses are closed as Mardi Gras celebrations take place in various towns across the country. The festivities have caused a lot of chatter on the radio talk shows as people debated the pros and cons of continuing with the celebrations when so many are still living in temporary shelters and recovering from the Cholera epidemic. The powers that be have decided " the show must go on" and so the actities have begun. Normally the biggest celebrations have been in Jacmel and downtown PAP but this year they are trying to de-centralize them a bit more so other towns are also engaged.

Churches will be filled on Wednesday as the faithful attend Ash Wednesday services and then it will be back to "business as usual"....even for us as we prepare to greet a group from Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

The two Presidential candidates Mme Manigat and Michel Martelly continue on the campaign trail. M Martelly visited the DR to meet with their President with the thought of improving the relations between the two countries if he is elected President. Mme Manigat reportedly travelled ot the US and Canada to attend fund raising activities for her campaign. Many Haitians "lot bo dlo" (across the ocean) are still very interested and active in Haitian politics and carry a loud voice.

Last week I made a quick trip to the Artibonite Valley to be with Wilner as he buried his father, who passed on unexpectedly. It was most interesting to see the changes taking place along the routes as we made the trip their and back. More and more temporary houses are popping up here and there and several new schools and training centers are underway...one of them just outside of St Marc in the Artibonite Valley. It is encouranging to see that in the future kids will have the chance to study in their home department (state) without everyone having to come to PAP for further education.

In the weeks and months ahead you may look forward to receiving news regarding changes being made as we implement decisions taken during the Board meetings. It is an exciting time for us as we look forward to our growth as an organization.

We thank you, our faithful supporters, new and old to the Village of Hope - Lazarus project for your prayers and generous contributions (that come in many different forms) to our success.

Until next time.....peace be with you.